Official documentation

How "Hey Copilot" wake word works in Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft, Microsoft Support, 2026

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: Microsoft's support article on starting a Copilot voice chat on Windows with the wake word "Hey Copilot": how to turn it on, how the wake word is detected on the PC, when chats end, and what needs an internet connection.
How much weight it carries: Official Microsoft documentation, last updated October 2026 according to the page. Copilot features change often, so details may shift.

Facts taken from this source

Microsoft says a Copilot voice chat ends automatically after one minute of inactivity, with a warning after 30 seconds.
“If you haven't spoken to Copilot in 30 seconds, Copilot notifies you that the conversation will end in 30 seconds of continued inactivity. After one minute of inactivity, the voice chat ends automatically.” (How do I end a voice chat?)
Microsoft says the PC detects the Hey Copilot wake word locally, using an on-device service that keeps a 10-second audio buffer in memory which is never recorded or stored.
“Your PC detects the wake word locally. A small on-device service keeps a 10-second audio buffer in memory to listen for the phrase. That buffer is never recorded or stored.” (How does "Hey Copilot" listen for the wake word?)
Microsoft says Hey Copilot needs an internet connection to answer, and a chat started offline ends when Copilot cannot connect.
“"Hey Copilot" needs an internet connection to answer. If you're offline when you say it, Copilot tries to connect, can't, and the chat ends.” (What are the limitations of "Hey Copilot"?)
Microsoft says starting a Copilot voice chat by saying "Hey Copilot" is turned off by default and must be switched on in the Copilot app's settings.
“Starting a voice chat by saying " Hey Copilot " is turned off by default. You need to turn on the Listen for "Hey Copilot" setting in the Microsoft Copilot app.” (How does "Hey Copilot" work?)

Official documentation

Microsoft, Microsoft Support, 2026

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: Microsoft's support article on starting a Copilot voice chat on Windows with the wake word "Hey Copilot": how to turn it on, how the wake word is detected on the PC, when chats end, and what needs an internet connection.
How much weight it carries: Official Microsoft documentation, last updated October 2026 according to the page. Copilot features change often, so details may shift.

Microsoft says a Copilot voice chat ends automatically after one minute of inactivity, with a warning after 30 seconds.
“If you haven't spoken to Copilot in 30 seconds, Copilot notifies you that the conversation will end in 30 seconds of continued inactivity. After one minute of inactivity, the voice chat ends automatically.” (How do I end a voice chat?)
Microsoft says the PC detects the Hey Copilot wake word locally, using an on-device service that keeps a 10-second audio buffer in memory which is never recorded or stored.
“Your PC detects the wake word locally. A small on-device service keeps a 10-second audio buffer in memory to listen for the phrase. That buffer is never recorded or stored.” (How does "Hey Copilot" listen for the wake word?)
Microsoft says Hey Copilot needs an internet connection to answer, and a chat started offline ends when Copilot cannot connect.
“"Hey Copilot" needs an internet connection to answer. If you're offline when you say it, Copilot tries to connect, can't, and the chat ends.” (What are the limitations of "Hey Copilot"?)
Microsoft says starting a Copilot voice chat by saying "Hey Copilot" is turned off by default and must be switched on in the Copilot app's settings.
“Starting a voice chat by saying " Hey Copilot " is turned off by default. You need to turn on the Listen for "Hey Copilot" setting in the Microsoft Copilot app.” (How does "Hey Copilot" work?)